During the second year of the COVID pandemic, I had the chance to know some of the families in the area when I immersed myself in the locality and appreciated the nature around me. The landscape is incredible with the seas on one end and the farms leading up to the mountain on the other.
"Love comes in many forms, and a romantic relationship is not the only kind to celebrate on this day. In fact, I believe that my schoolmates and professors in Loyola School of Theology (LST), and brothers and formators in the Columban House of Studies are my perfect Valentine."
In retrospect, it’s a grace-filled moment to see dots from random moments and be capable of making connections. It’s like seeing in your mind how an unfinished tapestry would look like once finished. This is how I attempt to highlight the notable Columban imprints in my journey.
As we remember her on the 27th anniversary of her death, may her life and ministry remind us that we are called to be messengers of peace, joy and healing. If we reach out to others, we can break down barriers and taboos and bring about harmony and understanding.
As we settle into 2023, we continue to devote ourselves to authentic interactions that bring out the best and, sometimes, the worst in us. As I journey into my seventh year of Columban formation, I share with you my reflection on the "Art of Listening."
Everyone wants to have a comfortable life, don’t we? But difficulties and adversities mold us to be strong and better Christians. They are a form of blessing one way or another.
"In reflecting together on the journey that has been made so far, we realize that another person’s experiences and perspectives, guided by the Holy Spirit according to the Preparatory Document, is at the service of the synodal journey. "
World Mental Health Day commemorates the strength of those who are suffering from mental health issues and other forms of inequality. Let us live by Mahatma Gandhi’s aphorism: “To live simply so others may simply live.”
Like us, Mary saw the problems of her time. But she also appreciated the good deeds that the Lord has already done. May we also see and give support to the positive developments being done by people of goodwill.
We are a nation that loves Christmas because we look forward to family gatherings. This is the time when loved ones who have been away, such as a parent working overseas, comes home.
I hope that my experiences will not only help improve my mastery of the language, but also grow my faith and identity as a Columban for the service of God's Kingdom. So, I put myself in this journey through the guidance, grace and strength of God.
No matter how bad we perceive a person to be, there is always a 'good seed' in him and a 'potential' to change and grow.
Over the years, the Community of Hope Special Education Center has served more than 1,000 children and young adults suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, clubfoot, cleft palate, hearing impairments and intellectual disabilities. Thanks to the various programs run by the Center, some participants have been able to find work in the local community.
He shared that his greatest dream in life is “to make the world peaceful. I want everyone in the world to enjoy fully their human rights.” Sadly, the political crisis in Myanmar is delaying the dreams of many young people including Saya Zenry’s.
What I experienced during quarantine was a humbling experience to say the least. Everyone was concerned, some prayed for me, some sent messages of encouragement, and kind advice.
"I came to realize about how much outrage Popong has against greed when Father Yrap shared that Popong ‘did not want to give a penny’ to anyone who might profit from kidnapping him."
The Columban family in the Philippine region rejoiced with the parishioners of San Roque Parish, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental as Fr. Jerry A. Lohera, SSC was ordained into priesthood last June 14, 2022, by Archbishop Jose Cabantan, D.D. of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
The Columban family in the Philippine region rejoiced with the parishioners of San Roque Parish, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental as Fr. Jerry A. Lohera, SSC was ordained into priesthood last June 14, 2022, by Archbishop Jose Cabantan, D.D. of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
The seed of vocation starts in the family. It is nurtured at home and matures in time as the child grows in stature and wisdom. This is how the vocation to love blossomed in the life of Elbert, and it has come to fruition today.
God always answers our prayers but his response may not be in the form we expected them to be.
During this pandemic, the deaf people are more isolated from the rest of the world. They only become aware with what is happening locally and globally through visual media, from the TV or the internet. Even then, the information interpreted for them has its limits.
For our beloved mission partners, benefactors and friends. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a grace-filled new year.
We celebrated the feast day of St. Columban, the Society’s patron saint, with a Mass at the Our Lady of Remedies Parish in Malate
Gifts come in different shapes and forms. It is either something material or in the form of presence, deeds or gestures.
The French philosopher Alain Badiou says that, “love, the essence of which is fidelity to the meaning I give to this word, demon-strates how eternity can exist within the span of life itself.”
Fascinated by their crafting tradition, I worked with Subanens to form a project called Subanen Crafts. Each year, we create Christmas cards depicting the ordinary and thoughtful ways that Joseph and Mary cared for each other.
Rufus was a man with a mission to be one in friendship with people of all faiths and be a bridge between communities in conflict and families with feuds. He was a bridge builder and a peacemaker.
Dreaming to become a priest at that time without considering all the factors at play was foolish and ambitious. I can still remember my father’s desperate voice, telling me, “I cannot afford to send you to the seminary.” We had a small farm planted with sweet potato, ube, corn, cassava, taro and banana that only provides us little income.
Elbert, a newly ordained deacon of the Missionary Society of St Columban, from Oton, Iloilo, shares his reflection about his diaconate ordination experience at this time of pandemic.
In the morning of the same day, both Elbert and Jerry became permanent members of the Missionary Society of St. Columban. Congratulations! As we welcome them with joy and thanksgiving, we also continue to pray for them in the next stage of their missionary journey.
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